System for handling and transporting articles in factories and the like



A. HIRT. SYSTEM FOR HANDLIIIC AND TRANSPORTING ARTICLES IN FACTORIES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I8. 192i.

1 43 1 1 o Patented Nov. 21, I922. a SHEETSSHEET 1.

(44 figi. Egg

/ F I I II I P I 5 3 I 1 I 4 I r I 1' I A. HIRT. SYSTEM FOR HANDLING AND TRANSPORTING ARTICLES IN FACTORIES AND THE LIKE- APPLICATION FILED MAR. 18, 1921. I 1,436, 1'? 1 Patented Nov. 21, 1922,

Q 3 SHEETySHEET 2.

A. HIRT. SYSTEM FOR HANDLING AND TBANSPORTING ARTICLES IN FACTORIES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 18} 1921.

Patanted MW. 21, 1922.

3 SHEETSSHEET Fatented Nov. 21 922.

SYSlIjil. FGl-"t HANDLING AND TRANSPORTIITG ARTICLES IN FAG'EORIES AND THE LIKE.

Application filed March 18 inr. citi- Zen of Switzerland, residii'ig at Rue llotre' Dame de Sorette, Paris, France, have invented cer ain new and useful improvements in Systems for .t iandling and T porting; Articles in Factories and the like; and I do hereby declare the toliowing to be -full, clear, and'exactdescription of the invention, such will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a system and ap paratus for transporting and manipulating articles or products in ceramic and other factories, enabling the articlestreshly manufactured to be mechanically transported to drying chambers to be removed and to be conveyed to a different part of the factory tor packing them. for charging them, or for any other purpose, the transorting devices being returned automatically to the part of the factory containing the manufacturing machines or their equivalents.

The characteristic feature of the invention consists in the utilization of n'iovable frames or containers, not provided with wheels, but having supporting means and furnished with rigid or flexible means oi suspension, such frames carrying wooden or metal trelllSBri constituting movable stages on which placed the articles coming from the manufacturing machine, such frames being pended from carriages running upon mono-rails.

The invention also refers to devices or apparatus mounted on wheels and running upon suitable tracks, extending alone; each front of. the drying apparatus or the like, such apparatus being intended to transfer the trainee and carrying moving bridges tor iring the proper connection between the J ster apparatus and the fixed tracks on lie of the dryin chambers: the bridge constitr" a moving track.

'red construction the transrunuing upon pulleys and operated by hand and adapted to receive and to raise througl the intervention of suitable lever mechanism, the frames carried by the mono-rail carriage to transport them and to place them mechanically, with the article carried thereby, in the interior of the drying chamber.

The charging truck is provided with a brake and stopping pawl ensuring the automatic movement "forwards and backwards of oi the transporter bridge and the carriage.

The carriages running upon the monorails are provided with automatic butting or brake mechanism operated by a cable in connection with the motor, for ensuring, by means of a projection suitably mounted and arranged, the disengagement oi the cable or declutching of the motor where an obstacle is encountered on the track, an automatic braking being thus obtained.

l he n'lono-rail part which is suspended and on which the carriage moves constitutes a closed circuit extending around the factory in the proper direction corresponding with the sequence of ope *ation, that is to es starting from the manufacturing machine. passing to the drying apparatus on the charging side, then to the discharging s de, and then, after making the tour of the furnaces returning to the original machine. The operation of the carriages efiected either by hand, by cable or by motive power.

11 short the object of the present invention is to obviate the inconveniences of the usual systems present employed in ceramic and other tactories, tor manipulatino; objects being manufactured after their first manufacture or formation.

The annexed drawings represent, by way of example, an apparatus and arrangement or system embodying the present invention.

In these drawings 1 shows a section of a chamber in the drying apparatus, with a frame suspended on the interior.

2 is a sectional elevation of the empty drying chamber.

5 3 is a side elevation of a frame intended tor the transport of the article.

ier. 4 a- :tront elevation of the monotransporter carriage, carrying the frame. lg. 5 is a transverse section showing the carriage in front 0'? the drying chain- Fig. 10 is a part plan view of the truck showing the arrangement of the horizontal chassis.

Fig. 11 is a detail of the brake showing the screw for bringing pressure to bear upon the shoe or socket.

Fig. 12 is a view of the transporter member in front of the chamber of the drying oven.

Fig. 13 is a half plan view of the transporter member with the moving bridge moved half forward.

Fig. 14 is a half rear view illustrating the suspension of the moving bridge.

F 15 is a view showing the manner in which the moving bridge passes across the carriage for the purpose of raising the frame.

Fig. 16 is a combined view showing the carriage, the transporter device and the charging truck in the operative position.

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic plan showing the general arran ement of the system in a factory.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 the drying chambers are constructed either from concrcte slabs 1 leaving the chambers between them with channel irons 2 at the upper portion, resting upon projections 3 or else small walls of masonry l of the ordinary description may be provided, having supports 5 carrying the channel irons 2.

The lower web of the channel irons 2 may serve to supportframe 6 shown at Figs. 1 and 3. whilst the upper web constitutes a track upon which the charging truck Figs. 7, 8, 9, and runs.

The 'lt'rames 6 Figs. 1, 3, and a are charged with articles from the shaping machine, and their movement is effected by means of a small mono-rail carriage, illustrated at Figs. 5, 6 and which is adapted to pass in front of the chambersbf the drying apparatus and in a direction. normal to the axis of the chambers.

The travelling carriage comprises a framework 9 suspended from a bogy 10 carried by pairs of mono-rail wheels 11 so that the sharpest curves can be negotiated.

12 are projecting or supporting arms for carryingthe spurs or projections 8 on the frame 6, so that the frame is suspended therefrom. 13 are horizontal guides (see l- 1-, 5,'and 6 and. for ensuring automatically the proper position of the carriage in front of the chamber of the drying Zip-.- paratus. The carriage rolls upon the monorail 14.

In order to transfer the fi mono-rail carriage in order t0 introduce it into the drying chamber, charging truck provided (see Figs. 7, 8. 9 and 10).

This truck may be operated from the side,

F ig. 7 or from the middle as re 6 from the as shown shown at Fig. 8.

Referring to the one operated from the middle, this consists of a horizontal frame 16 (Figs. 8, 9, and 10) carrying four running wheels or pulleys 17, mounted between side bars'lS, 19 is a vertical frame, (Figs. 8, 9, and 10) fitted for enabling the apparatus to be conveniently manipulated from a project ing bar 20 within easy reach of the work man. I

Between the side bars 18 of the horizontal framework 16 are mounted the engaging levers 21 having a notch 22. 23 is a lever for manipulating the apparatus having handle 24 and a locking pawl 25 adapted to engage the operating bar 20. thus ensuring the operation of the engaging levers 21 through the intervention of a pivoted link 26, tons in normal cases reducing the amount of manual work.

By bringing the levers 23 into the position a, b, the member of the link is lowered and adapted to pass under the spur or pro jection 8 of the framework 6. 0n bringing the lever into the position a, c, the link or member 22 rises moving with it the framework 6 which can thus be transported.

Eachof the pulleys 17, at the back. is under the control of a brake shoe 27 which operated by a lever 28, see Figs, 9 and 12., so that the transverse movement from (Z, to (Z, 7 of the lever 28 is transmitted to the shoe 2'? through the action of the screw 29 (Figs. 10 and 11). The truck shown in Figs. 7 and 8 rolls by means of the pulleys 1'? on the channel iron 2 attached to. the wall of the drying chambers shown in 1 and 2.

The truck shown in Figs. 7 and 8, beforr taking a charge. that is before it receives framework 6, (Figs. 1, 3, and 4E) filled articles to be dried. is carried by a transfer device illustrated at Figs. 12, 13, and

rails 15 by means of pulleys 31 runn said rails, and 32 is a bolt provided with an operating wire and handle said bolt en gaging in a bolt hole 3 1 in the rail. thus ensuring the correct position of the apparatus opposite the entrance of a drying chamber.

The lower portion of the framework o" i 1 transporter carriage or mechanism vided with two channel shaped beams 35 and 36, see Figs. 12 and 14.

3? is a travelling bridge F i la and 15) having rolling wheels back which roll on the lower ch member 36, between the upper said member and the lower suirace member The front portion is provizfled with pulleys 39 (seeliigs. 12. 13. and 11 in connection with the lower channel sh. and member 36 of the framewor r.

The two principal elements of the t ling bridge 37 are connected by train. members 40, in such a Way as to leave a space beneath and on the inside for the free passage of the device.

At the forward extremity of the side members of the travelling bridge 37 (see Figs. 12 and 13) are projecting plugs 41, coming on each side and adapted to engage in recesses 42 at the openings of the channel ii" forming the track 2 in the drying chum so as to ensure a perfect continuity of path for the movement of the charging truck Fig. 8. l

A catch 43 (Fig. 12) is provided operating as a locking bolt upon engaging member 44 which ensures the fixing of the bridge 37 after it has been brought into position.

45 is a lever (see Figs. 12 and 13) fixed on the interior of the travelling bridge 37 for enabling the catch to be unlocked through the pressure of the spring of the wheel 17 of the charging truck Figs. 7 and 8.

In order to ensure immediate stoppage in case of obstruction on the mono-rail either by the closin of the moving bridge or the stoppage of tie preceding carriage, the suspension means 11 of the carriage (Fig. 4) is provided with automatic declutching or disengaging means seen at Figs. 4 and 5. This is operated by hand or by automatic means, from a lever 45 with operating handles 47 or from the plunger 48 operating a fork 49 where a tractor cable is provided as shown at Fig. 4 or operating jaws in the case of a free cable. In both cases the lock 50 is displaced and the spring 51 pulls the brake against the rolling pulley. The disengagement of the rod 46 may also be effected by pulling one of the handles 47, releasing the clutching mechanism from the cable. The counter weight 52 ensures that the lever 46 shall be in the correct position.

At Fig. 16 the carriage, the transporter cevice and the charging truck are shown associated in the functioning position, the rolling bridge 37 passing through the monorail carriage and engaging the frame carrying the articles to be treated by means of the spurs 8. Frames will also be seen in position in the drying chamber.

Referring to Fig. 17 which shows a complete plant arranged in a factory, 53 is the position where the articles are formed or shaped. 54 indicates the drying apparatus which may be turned in any desired direction. 55 is the furnace. 56 is the charging position for the drying chambers. 57 is the discharging position.

14 is the mono-rail on which the carriage runs carrying the frame to be dealt with. This mono-rail traverses the factory in the proper direction according to the sequence of manufacturing operations.

15 indicates the transporter rails, extending along the faces of the drying chambers.

M shows the transporters upon which the charging trucks are carried.

Supposing the truck B (Fig. 16) is blocked, that is to say that the brake 2'? is applied and that a carriage D with frame (3 is stopped in front of the compartment to be charged, and that the truck T1 is pushed forcoming to the plugs 41 on the guides 13 fixed to the support 9 of the carriage, the precise connection with the rail 2 in the drying cornpartment being secured, the said plugs, as previously stated taking into the sockets 42 correspondin thereto at the ends of the channels 2 of the drying compartment.

When this connection has been effected the spur or projection 8 of the fram is above the notch of the lever 21 of the truck IT and cannot move further by reason of the projection 22 on this lever.

It will therefore simply be necessary to lower the lever 24 into engagement with the projection 20 on the arm 19 and to clip it in position by the spring clip 25, in order to raise the frame 6 with its contents by means of the lever 21. On releasing the brake 27 and pushing the charging truck H, it will enter the drying compartment.

In order to remove it, it is sufficient to release the catch 25 from the bar 20 and the lever 21 will lower the frame until the spur or projection 8 rests upon the rail 2 of the drying chamber. The charging truck can then be drawn back.

The fixing of the rolling bridge 37 in posi tion is ensured by the catch 43 with its counterweight coming against the projection 44, see Fig. 12, located on the beam 35 of the upper framework of the transporter M.

As soon as the rear pulley 17 of the truck H pushes with its spring the control 13, of the bolt 43, the rolling bridge H is liberated and the truck running upon the latter moves the rolling bridge backwards and thus liberates the carria e D which is em )t T en- & 3

abling it to continue on its course on the mono-rail.

The discharging of a compartment of the drying apparatus, is effected by reversing the manipulation just described and employing the same apparatus, it being understood that a carriage which has been emptied on one side 56 passes to the discharge side 57 of the drying apparatus 54 where receives the dried articles, see Fig. 17. The transporter only changes position after complete charging or discharging of a cell.

The continuity of operation which is secured owing to the fact that the mono-rail 14 17) for the transporter constitutes a closed circuit passing around the works from the shaping machine 53 to the drying compartment 54 and even, if necessary, around the furnace 55, affords great advantages, as

only empty frames or those=containing empty articles are brought back automatically to manufacturing machine 53.

For small installations, the carriages D which carry the frames could be pushed by band. In the case of large installations with a large output, their movement is preferably secured by means of a cable 58 of any known construction, or if desired, electri ally driven carriages independent of one another could be utilized.

W hat 1 claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States of America is 2-- 1. Apparatus for transporting articles, comprising a treatment chamber open at both ends and having a track extending from one of said ends to the other, an

Xterior track having connected port-ions extending transversely at the ends of said chamber, a support adapted to travel along said external track, and an article carrier mounted removably on said support and arranged to be transferred therefrom to the track within said chamber, and to travel along said interior track.

2 Apparatus for transporting articles, comprising a treatment chamber having a longitudinal interior track, an exterior track extending transversely adjacent to one end of said chamber, a support adapted to travel on said exterior track, an articleholding frame carried by said support and adapted to travel on said interior track, and means for transferring said frame from said support to said interior track.

Apparatus for transporting articles, comprising a treatment chamber having an interior track, an article-holding frame adapted to travel on said track, an exterior track adjacent to said chamber, and a support adapted to travel on said exterior track and to carry such frame into and out of registry with said interior track.

4. Apparatus for transporting articles, comprising a longitudinal track, an articleholdinp; frame adapted to travel on said longitudinal track, two transverse tracks adjacent to said longitudinal track, a support adapted to travel on one of said transverse traclrs and to carry said frame, a carriage arranged to travel on the other transverse traclr, and means on said carriage for transferring a frame from said support to said longitudinal track.

Apparatus for transportingarticles, omprising a longitudinal track, an articleholding frame adapted to travel on said track, two transverse tracks located adjacent to one end of said longitudinal track, at different distances from such end, a support adapted to travel on the transverse track which is nearer said end and to carry said frame, a carriage arranged to travel on the other transverse track, and means arranged to travel on said carriage in a direction transverse to the path of the car riage, for transferring a frame from said support to said longitudinal track.

6. Apparatus for transporting articles, comprising a longitudinal track, an articleholding frame adapted to travel on said track, two transverse tracks adjacent to said longitudinal track, a support adapted to travel on one of said transverse tracks and to carry said frame, a carriage arranged to travel on the other transverse track, a bridge mounted on said carriage and movable thereon transversely to the path of the carriage, said bridge being adapted to be moved into a position where it forms a continuation of said longitudinal track, and a transfer truck movable along such bridge and track, and adapted to transfer a frame from said support to said longitudinal track.

7. Apparatus for transporting articles, comprising a longitudinal track, an articleholding frame adapted to travel on said track, two transverse tracks ladjacent to said longitudinal track, a support adapted to travel on one of said transverse tracks and to carry said frame, a carriage arranged to travel on the other transverse track, a bridge movable onsaid carriage transversely to the path of the carriage, means for locking said bridge relatively to said longitudinal track, and transfer means for transferring a frame from said support to said longitudinal track when said bridge is in the locked position.

8. Apparatus for transporting articles, comprising a longitudinal track, an articleholding frame adapted to travel on said track, two transverse tracks adjacent to said longitudinal track, a support adapted to travel on one of said transverse tracks and to carry said frame, a carriagearranged to travel on the other transverse track, a transfer truck mounted on said carriage and movable thereon transversely to the path of the carriage, and lifting means on said truck to lift a frame from said support and subsequently deposit it on said longitudinal track.

9. Apparatus for transporting articles, comprising a longitudinal track, an articleholding frame adapted to travel on said track, two transverse tracks adjacent to said longitudinal track, a support adapted to travel on one of said transverse tracks and to carry said frame, a carriage adapted to ALBERT HIRT. 

